If the tops of your toes or sides of your feet develop thickened layers of skin, you probably have corns or calluses. The podiatrists at Bay Area Foot Care regularly work with patients to alleviate the source of friction and prevent further corns and calluses from developing. If you’ve tried various forms of at-home treatment without a difference in your symptoms, seek treatment today. Bay Area Foot Care has locations throughout the Bay Area, California. Call the office nearest you or click the online booking tool today.
If your skin experiences pressure or friction on a regular basis, you might develop a corn or callus. Corns and calluses can develop anywhere on your body, but they’re especially common on your feet and toes, usually as a result of wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes or socks.
They might also develop due to irregularities affecting your feet, such as bunions, hammertoes, or bumps caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Other factors can also contribute to corns and calluses, including flatfeet and bone spurs, or pressure caused by an abnormal gait.
Many times, eliminating the source of friction is enough to ease your symptoms. However, if you have diabetes or another condition that affects your circulation, corns and calluses may lead to an infection or more serious health problems.
Corns and calluses are easy to spot. Telltale signs include:
Over time, a corn or callus might also start flaking or shed layers of skin.
Many people use the terms corns and calluses interchangeably. However, they’re two different things.
In most cases, conservative measures of care are enough to treat corns and calluses. For example, wearing roomier shoes may prevent pain and allow your skin to heal.
However, if a corn or callus becomes inflamed or painful to the touch, you should make an appointment at Bay Area Foot Care. You should also visit a podiatrist if you have diabetes and develop a callus or corn.
Bay Area Foot Care uses conservative treatments to address corns and calluses. Following an exam and discussion of your symptoms, your doctor might recommend trimming away your excess skin or using shoe inserts.
If necessary, your doctor might also prescribe a callus-removing medication. If you develop recurring calluses or corns, surgical intervention may be necessary to better align the bone that’s causing friction.
If corns and calluses are preventing you from participating in your favorite activities or wearing your favorite shoes, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Call the office nearest you or click the online booking tool today.